Accessibility Upgrades at Symphony, Hynes and Wollaston Stations

The MBTA procured design engineering services for accessibility upgrades at Symphony, Hynes and Wollaston Stations as part of the Systemwide Modifications.

On May 5, 2010, the MBTA Board awarded the design contract (A46PS01) to SEA Consultants, Inc. (dba Kleinfelder SEA). The 15% design was completed on September 7, 2011 for the Wollaston Station and on September 21, 2011 for the Symphony Station. Work was completed on the 15% design for the Hynes Station on March 3, 2013.

The scope of the design services for the accessibility upgrades includes:

Symphony Station:

Work to date included conceptual (15%) design services to make the Station accessible in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Massachusetts State Building Code and all relevant accessibility codes, including adding elevators, modifying platform stairs, walls, benches, doors, restrooms, signals, adding detectable warnings in conformance with ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) along platform edges and signage. The conceptual design identified considerable challenges to overcome with respect to the historical character, code required upgrades, and utility obstructions. Coordination is ongoing with the Massachusetts Avenue Streetscaping Project currently under construction.

Hynes Station:

Work included preliminary design studies for making Hynes Station accessible. The preliminary investigation of possible site locations for elevators provided information used to assess feasibility and determine a preliminary cost for a future construction contract. The deliverable was a schematic design (15%) report for Hynes Station. This report was used extensively in a joint effort with MassDOT to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking a development team to design and develop both Turnpike Air Rights Parcel 13 at the corner of Boylston Street and Massachusetts Avenue in Boston's Back Bay in conjunction with the adjacent station redesign and renovation. The RFP was issued on September 3, 2014 and a selection is expected by the end of 2014. More information concerning the RFP can be found at the Office of Real Estate & Asset Development: http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/InformationCenter/OfficeofRealEstateAssetDevelopment.aspx

Wollaston Station:

Work includes design services to make the Station ADA compliant in part by adding elevators. In addition, drainage improvements are required to mitigate flooding in the lobby area. Meanwhile, the project will address compliance with any applicable Massachusetts State Building Codes.

In review of the 15% Report completed in 2011, this project has been expanded to a full station upgrade that incorporates all of the goals above into a comprehensive effort. Please see the "Wollaston Station Improvements" project page for more information.